MUNCIE, Ind. – A popular ice cream shop that opened three years ago in the heart of Gaston is looking to expand to the heart of Muncie.

Cary Malchow, owner of The Barking Cow, told the Star Press he plans to open another location in the Kelso building downtown, 118 S. Walnut St., across the street from The Arsenal.

“With the (Horizon) Convention Center there, and Ivy Tech being two blocks away, I thought it was a good opportunity,” Malchow said, noting a downtown location also could reach the Ball State University crowd.

He said layout for the shop is done. Now, crews are painting and adding decorations. Just as the Gaston location includes memorabilia related to its area, Malchow said the downtown Muncie location's decor will reflect Muncie's history, sort of like a "miniature museum."

The new shop will feature ice cream flavors similar to those served in Gaston, including "Everything Reece" — a peanut butter base infused with Reese's peanut butter cups and Reese's Pieces — and "Killer Key Lime Pie." Along with ice cream, the shop will serve food such as wraps, salads, barbecue sandwiches and hot dogs with meat from local vendors.

Malchow said he hasn't established an opening date, but he is shooting for the end of October. The downtown Muncie location will remain open year-round, while the Gaston location closes the week before Christmas and reopens in March.

To expand ice cream production, Malchow is using about 1,000 square feet of a near-12,000-square-foot building he purchased in Gaston. It's also where he houses equipment for Outfitter, a screen-printing and embroidery shop he has owned in Muncie for 25 years. (The machinery for each business operates in separate rooms.)